Antitheft-quick lock device for bicycle parts

ABSTRACT

A combination antitheft—quick lock device for the wheels or saddle rod of a bicycle includes a lever connected to an eccentric and at least one rod having a threaded end for receiving a bearing washer and a nut. The eccentric bears upon and is rotationally linked to the bearing washer and to the threaded rod extending through the hub of the wheel. A guiding channel for at least one ball is formed as a blind channel in the lever, forming an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis thereof. A bore is formed in the axis and opening into the channel and has a shoulder defining a widened recess. An eccentric reversible locking means includes a widened head configured for displacement in the widened recess and a rod guided by the channel and abutting the ball. A spring is disposed between the widened head and the bore shoulder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a bicycle part anti-theft device. It isparticularly adapted to the rapid lockings mounted on the wheels or onthe seat tube of bicycles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

More particularly, the anti-theft device-rapid blocking of bicycleparts, wheels and/or seat rode, the wheels are blocked on the front forkor on the rear seat stay by a fast locking system of the type with leverattached to an eccentric and at least one rod with threaded endreceiving a support washer and a nut, said eccentric being as supportand linked in rotation to said support washer and said threaded rodcrossing from one part to the other the hub of the bicycle wheel.

The theft of the wheels of the bicycle and of the seat rod (tubecarrying the seat) is frequent and poses a real problem for cyclists. Inaddition to the displeasure caused by the theft of major elements of thebicycle, the cyclist must replace the stolen parts. The theft of theseelements of the bicycle is particularly easy and frequent when thebicycle is equipped with rapid-fastening clips.

In order to prevent this, the installation in the rapid fastening clipof a device prohibiting the opening of the latter is provided.

The existing devices attempting to solve this problem, whether they makeuse of a key or coded thumb wheel for coding, are not used very oftensince they require either carrying the key permanently or memorizing acombination. On the other hand, they can easily be ineffective, it issufficient to exert a rotation of the locking lever to screw (the bolt)located on the other end of the axis of the wheel and as such releasethe latter.

In order to prevent the bicycle from being stolen, it is highlyrecommended to attach the latter to a fixed point using an anti-theftmeans of a known type (cables, etc.) generally hoops (or pins) are madeavailable to cyclists as a fixed point. In this case, it is impossibleto set up the bicycle vertically (+/−90°) on its rear wheel.

The reversal of the bicycle can be possible by sliding the anti-theftdevice along the tube of the hoop, however, positioning the bicyclearranged vertically on its rear wheel is impossible due to the length ofthe bicycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem addressed by embodiments of the present invention consistsin prohibiting the theft of the wheels and/or of the seat rod.

This is obtained by a device according to embodiments of the presentinvention, which may include:

-   -   a guiding duct of at least one ball, said duct being blind bore        in the lever according to an obtuse angle in relation to the        longitudinal axis of said lever    -   in said axis a perforation exiting by a first end in said duct        and by its second end directed towards the axis of rotation of        said lever having a shoulder forming enlarged housing;    -   a reversible means of blocking of the eccentric in relation to        its pivot of the axis of rotation, said means of blocking        comprising a mobile enlarged head in the enlarged housing and a        guided rod in the duct going up to the stop on the ball, a        spring placed between the enlarged head and the shoulder of the        perforation maintaining said means of blocking on the pivot of        the axis of rotation:    -   in the first working position, bicycle in horizontal position        (positioned on its wheels, blocking of the eccentric) the device        is in clamped position, the means blocks and by its head        prohibits the eccentric from rotating around the pivot,    -   a straightening of the bicycle into a substantially vertical        position, therefore of the lever displacing said means of        blocking and said ball under the effect of gravity, ball        separated from the perforation and first end of said rod in the        duct releasing the eccentric in second working position.

According to other characteristics of the device according to theinvention:

-   -   the enlarged head has a perpendicular milling on each of its        free faces which allows for three working positions,    -   the duct is closed by a part of which the inside face in said        duct is positioned slightly lower than the axis in a first        working position, the ball via gravity coming into contact with        said face,    -   the end of the rod of the means of blocking is inclined        according to the axis of the duct,    -   the nut has a smooth exterior geometry in the form of a dome,    -   the rapid blocking comprises two support washers, the first        interacting with the eccentric, the second interacting with the        nut, each washer having a protuberance is housed between the        fingers of the fork in order to prohibit the rotation,    -   the nut having a toothed surface as a ratchet supports on said        second washer,    -   the lever is curved in such a way as to hug the clamping collar        positioned on the seat tube, in particular said collar having on        its open portion for the clamping latitude two perforations        passing from the closing of the collar by the threaded rod, the        second perforation opposite the lever being tapped in order to        accommodate the threaded portion of the rod.    -   the guiding duct of the ball exits inside the fork of the        eccentric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present inventions will be more clearly understood bymeans of the following description, which relates to preferredembodiments, provided by way of non-restrictive example and in referenceto the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a bicycle in horizontal position withwheels on the ground attached to a fixed point and having three leversin horizontal position therefore locked by the device according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows an elevational view of the bicycle in FIG. 1 in positionrendered vertically on its rear wheel, having the three levers inunlocked position, vertical.

FIG. 3 shows an elevational view of the blocking device according to theinvention on the hub of the fork of a front bicycle wheel correspondingto FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the lever of the device inFIG. 3 when the bicycle is horizontal with wheels on the ground.

FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-section of the lever of the device inFIG. 3 when the bicycle is rendered vertically on its rear wheel.

FIG. 6 partially shows the device in FIG. 1 as an exploded view.

FIG. 7 shows an elevational view of an embodiment of the device with twosupport washers.

FIG. 8 shows an elevational view of a toothed washer of the device inFIG. 10.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show in an elevational view with a partial cross-sectionan alternative of the lever according to the invention wherein theguiding duct of the ball exits directly inside the fork of theeccentric.

FIG. 11 shows a rapid seat fastening clip with an alternative leveraccording to the invention, lever that is curved to hug said collar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The bicycle part anti-theft device 1, wheels 2 or seat rod 4 shown inthe figures is located in the body of the lever 6 of the rapid blockingalso called rapid fastening clip 5, it has for purpose to allow or notallow the rotation of the axis 7 activating the eccentric 8; this axis 7connects the lever 6 from its eccentric portion 8 to the axial rod ofthe wheel 9.

It is comprised of an existing perforation 10 (FIGS. 4, 5) madelongitudinally between the two fingers 11 of the eccentric 8 in thedirection of the centre of lever 6 and of a guiding duct 12 crossing theperforation 10 and format an angle 13 with the latter, a sliding rod 14provided with an enlarged support head 15 is displaced in the exitingperforation 10, this enlarged head 15 on the sliding rod 14 is mountedon spring 16 in order to maintain the latter in constant support on theaxis of rotation formed by the axial head 18 of the wheel axis rod 17.

A free mobile ball, circulates in the guiding duct 12 providing in aparticular position the blocking of the enlarged support head 15 and inanother position the free circulation of this same support head 15.

The mobile element comprised by the ball 19 is displaced in the guidingduct 12 according to whether the bicycle 1 is in a normal position onits two wheels 2 and 3 (FIG. 1) or arranged vertically on its rear wheel3 (FIG. 2).

According to the displacement of the sliding guided rod 14 provided withits enlarged head 15 under the double constraint of the compressionspring 16 placed under the enlarged head 15 and rotation of theformatted head 18 comprising at least one milling 20, the ball 19 willcirculate freely via its weight in its guiding duct 12 and must remaintotally free in movement in order to fulfill its role of blocking or ofreleasing the opening of the lever 6.

For further clarity, examine the two substantial positions of the lever:

-   -   Bicycle 1 in normal position on its two wheels (FIGS. 1 and 4)        and attached to a fixed point via an anti-theft device of known        type, cable, hinged, etc. When the lever 6 is activated or        closed in order to make use of the clamping produced by the        eccentric 8, the enlarged head 15 of the guided rod 14 comes as        a support of the most pronounced milling 20 made in the head of        the axial rod 18 of the wheel, therefore, the guided rod 14 and        therefore its enlarged head 15 under the effect of the        compression spring 16 placed under the latter is displaced in        the direction of the axis of rotation of the eccentric 7, this        has for effect to sufficiently release the room to the ball 19        in its guiding duct 12 so that the latter, simply via its        weight, is displaced in the extension of the guided rode 14        without however being under pressure with the guided rod 14.

In the event of an attempt to open, the guided rod 14 under the pressureexerted by the attempt to rotate the head of the milled axial rod 18will be displaced slightly in the direction of the guiding duct 12 andwill come as support against the ball 19 and will not be able tocontinue its movement.

For increased effectiveness, the end of the guided rod 14 corning assupport against the ball 19 shall have an angle 13 at least equivalentto the angle formed by the perforation exiting 10 in the lever 6 and theguiding duct 12, this in order to prevent the ball 19 from escapingunder the pressure of the guided rod 14 in its guiding duct 12 and nolonger fulfilling its role.

In this normal position of the bicycle 1 on its two wheels 2, 3, thelevers of the rapid-fastening clips or rapid lockings 5 are closedlongitudinally to the bicycle 1 and in a rear position in relation tothe axis of rotation 7, this is a safety in order to avoid any object orstems of shrubs which could become positioned between the lever 6 andthe fork 22 or the toe piece of the bicycle 22, 23.

When the bicycle 1 is arranged vertically on its rear wheel 3 (FIGS. 2and 5), the ball 19 can circulate freely under the effect of its ownweight in the guiding duct 12, the guided rod 14 can then be displacedup to the guiding duct 12 making it possible to exert the rotation ofthe lever 6 with the eccentric 8, opening is therefore possible.

The ball 19 can circulate freely in the guiding duct 12 between theupper portion of the guided rod 14 advanced partially in the guidingduct 12 and the end of this same guiding duct.

In this configuration, the guided rod 14 with its enlarged head 15 isfree to move, it is possible to unscrew the blocking or rapid fasteningclip 5, it is possible to change a wheel 2, 3 or to adjust the height ofthe seat 4, to position via a screwing movement the axis of the wheel 17or of the seat rod 4 and then to activate the eccentric 8 by reclosingthe lever 6.

Another advantage of the invention is to have two intermediary positionsin addition to the locked position (FIG. 6), these two intermediarypositions largely facilitating the manipulation of the lever 6, thesetwo positions such as that of locking are obtained via the double effectof the spring 16 that constrains the enlarged head 15 of the rod 14guided by pressure under the enlarged head 15 to come and house itself,second effect, at the maximum of milling 20 in the head of the axial rod18 of the wheel 2 or 3, this formatted head, milled 18 has threemillings 20, 21, 21′, a major milling 20 allowing the guided rod 14 toadvance in the direction of the axis of rotation 7 under the effect ofthe compression spring 16 releasing the space sufficient for the ball 19to take its position in alignment of the guided rod 14 in its guidingduct 12, two lighter millings 21 and 21′ allowing the intermediarypositions by requiring the ball 19, regardless of the position of thelever 6, to remain inactive in its guiding duct 12, i.e. underneath theguided rod 14.

In order to be fully effective, the wheel anti-theft device forrapid-fastening clips must be provided with a nut 27 (FIG. 7) having asmooth exterior geometry and in the form of a dome in order to renderdifficult the grasping with a hand tool with the purpose of rescrewingthe axis of the wheel positioned opposite the lever 6 activating theeccentric 8.

For the same purpose, two support washers 28, 28′ having a protuberance29 housed between the fingers of the fork 22, 22′ in order to prohibitthe rotation are placed at the two ends of the axial rod 9 of the wheel2, 3, the first 28 (FIG. 8) interacting with the eccentric 8, the second28′ interacting with the smooth nut 27.

The support washer 28′ has a toothed surface 31 as a ratchet, thistoothed surface 31 comes into contact with the toothed surface 32 of thenut 27 in the form of a dome in order to allow for the screwing and toprevent the unscrewing when the clamping is carried out by theeccentric.

For the rapid blocking of the seat (FIG. 11) a preferred embodiment isthat for which the lever 6 is curved in such a way as to hug theclamping collar 30 positioned on the seat tube.

This form of lever 6 a by clamping the collar 30 prohibits theunscrewing when the rapid fastening clip is closed and in lockedposition, i.e. the bicycle on its two wheels. The lever 6 during anattempt of unscrewing would strike the seat rod.

This clamping collar 30 has on its open portion 33 for the clampinglatitude passing perforations 34 and 35 closings of the collar by thethreaded rod 36. The second perforation 35 opposite the lever 6 a istapped in order to accommodate the threaded portion of the rod 36.

According to another embodiment (FIGS. 9, 10), the guiding duct 12′ ofthe ball 19 exits inside the fork of the eccentric 8.

The operation remains identical with the single difference that the ball19 is displaced from its guiding duct 12′ to a perforation made in theaxis of rotation 8.

The movement of the ball 18 is provided by its own weight according towhether the bicycle is in a normal position on its two wheels (FIG. 1)or arranged vertically on its rear wheel (FIG. 2).

REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   1. Bicycle    -   2. Front wheel    -   3. Rear wheel    -   4. Seat rod    -   5. Rapid fastening clip or rapid locking    -   6. Lever    -   6 a. Lever    -   7. Axis of the eccentric    -   8. Eccentric    -   9. Axial rod of the wheel    -   10. Existing perforation    -   11. Fingers of the eccentric    -   11′. Fingers of the eccentric    -   12. Guiding duct    -   12′. Guiding duct    -   13. Angle (exiting perforation/guiding duct)    -   14. Sliding guiding rod    -   14 a. End of the rod    -   15. Enlarged head    -   16. Spring    -   17. Axial wheel rod    -   18. Axial head of the wheel axis rod    -   19. Ball    -   20. Greatest milling    -   21. Minor milling    -   21′. Minor milling    -   22. Fork    -   22′. Fork    -   23. Toe piece    -   24. Fixed point    -   25. Padlock    -   26. Part forming the guiding duct    -   27. Dome nut    -   28. Toothed washer with protuberance    -   29. Protuberance    -   30. Clamping collar    -   31. Toothed surface of the washer with protuberance    -   32. Toothed surface of the nut    -   33. Open portion of the clamping collar    -   34. Perforation for passage of clamping rod    -   35. Tapped perforation    -   36. Threaded rod

The sole purpose of the reference signs inserted after the technicalcharacteristics mentioned in the claims is to facilitate theunderstanding of the latter and do not in any way limit the scope.

Although the invention has been described in liaison with particularstructures, it is in no way limited to them and many alternatives can beprovided.

The combinations of the different embodiments shown in the figures ordescribed hereinabove do not depart from the scope of the invention.

1. An anti-theft—quick lock—device for bicycle parts, wheels and/or seatrod, the wheels being blocked on the front fork or on the rear seat stayby a fast locking system of a lever attached to an eccentric and atleast one rod having a threaded end receiving a bearing washer and anut, said eccentric bearing against and linked in rotation to saidbearing washer and to said threaded rod extending through the hub of thebicycle wheel comprising: a guiding channel configured to accommodate atleast one ball, said guiding channel defining a blind channel in thelever at an obtuse angle with respect to to a longitudinal axis of saidlever, said axis defining a bore opening at a first end in said guidingchannel and at a second end directed towards an axis of rotation of saidlever, having a shoulder forming a widened recess, a reversible meansfor blocking the eccentric with respect to its pivot of the axis ofrotation, said reversible blocking means comprising a mobile enlargedhead disposed in the widened recess and a rod guided within the guidingchannel and abutting the ball, a spring placed between the enlarged headand the shoulder of the bore maintaining said reversible blocking meanson the pivot of the axis of rotation, wherein—when the bicycle is in ahorizontal position in which the bicycle is on its wheels and theeccentric is blocked, the device is in a clamped position in which thereversible blocking means is blocked and in which the head prohibits theeccentric from rotating about the pivot, and wherein when the bicycle isin a substantially vertical position, the lever displaces saidreversible blocking means and, under the effect of gravity, said ballseparates from the bore and the first end of said rod in the guidingchannel releases the eccentric.
 2. Device according to claim 1, whereinthe enlarged head has a perpendicular milling on each of its freesurfaces.
 3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the guiding channel isclosed by a part defining an interior surface in said guiding channelthat is positioned slightly lower than the axis when the bicycle is onits wheels, the ball by gravity coming into contact with said interiorsurface.
 4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the reversible blockingmeans defines an end that is inclined according to the axis of the duct.5. Device according claim 1, wherein the nut has a smooth exteriorgeometry in the form of a dome.
 6. Device according claim 1, furthercomprising a first and a second support washer, the first support washerinteracting with the eccentric, the second support washer interactingwith the nut, each of the first and second washers defining aprotuberance that is housed between the fingers of the fork in order toprohibit rotation.
 7. Device as claimed claim 1, wherein the nut definesa toothed surface that bears upon said second washer.
 8. Deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the lever is curved in such a way as tohug a clamping collar positioned on the seat rod, said collar having onits open portion two bores passing from the closing of the collar by thethreaded rod, the second bore opposite the lever being tapped toaccommodate the threaded portion of the rod.
 9. Device according toclaim 1, wherein the guiding channel for the ball emerges inside thefork of the eccentric.